When Courtney Schmackers, proprietor of Next Door Stories in Bexley, Ohio (a suburb of Columbus) was asked by Jenn Moffitt, 33, and Jerra Knicely, 34, to video their "wedding" ceremony, Schmackers declined the work citing her Christian beliefs. Not surprisingly, the lesbian couple took to the Internet to trash Schmackers' business and then asked the Bexley Chamber of Commerce to enjoin the battle. The Chamber promptly agreed to devise a new sexual-orientation policy that would deny religious liberty to area businesses.
For background, read Oregon Bankrupts Bible-clinging Baker who Refused 'Gay Wedding' and also read Washington State Sues Christian Florist for Being 'Anti-Gay' as well as Pastors Face Fines, Jail for Refusing 'Gay Wedding'
Also read about Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado who has been persecuted by the State of Colorado for refusing to make a same-sex "wedding" cake that would violate his religious conscience.
And read how the Gay Agenda attacks Christians one town at a time across America because the homosexualists have been unable to force the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) through Congress.
-- From "Bexley videographer is latest to deny services to same-sex couple" by JoAnne Viviano, The Columbus Dispatch 3/13/15
Ohio currently does not allow same-sex marriage, and its anti-discrimination law does not include sexual orientation. However, a number of municipalities and cities, including Columbus, have ordinances that prohibit sexual-orientation discrimination. Bexley is not among them.
In Bexley, [homosexualists'] criticism also has been directed at the Bexley Area Chamber of Commerce, where President Colleen Krupp said the organization is “like the vast majority of chamber organizations nationwide” in not having a non-discrimination policy that applies to membership.
However, she said, the chamber board “believes that discrimination in any form is wrong and should not be tolerated” and is working to implement an anti-discrimination policy that would include sexual orientation.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Christian videographer facing legal action after refusing to film lesbian couple's wedding" by UK Daily Mail Online Reporter 3/16/15
Schmackers has refused to comment publicly on the issue but posted her version of events on Facebook.
'I made a business decision based on my spiritual beliefs and the biblical definition of a marriage because I thought I had a right to that. Unfortunately I gave the wrong answer to the wrong person, who decided to make a private issue into a public platform,' she wrote.
In a statement, Bexley Mayor Ben Kessler said: 'Bexley, Ohio is a community that embraces diversity and welcomes businesses, families and individuals of ALL sexual orientation, race, religion, age, nationality, ethnicity, disabilities, socio-economic levels, etc. As an employer and a provider of services to our residents, we extend that same openness and inclusivity.'
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Ohio same-sex couple accuses videographer of discrimination" by Jareen Imam, CNN 3/16/15
Moffitt and Kincely reached out to the Bexley Area Chamber of Commerce through its Facebook page about five weeks ago to file a complaint against the business. They also shared their story on Facebook to raise awareness and get the attention of local officials.
The Bexley Area Chamber of Commerce addressed the incident on its Facebook page. Even though it does not have a nondiscrimination policy that applies to membership, the organization said it does not tolerate discrimination "in any form."
After reviewing the situation, the organization sent a letter to its members saying its board is in the process of rewriting its policy to forbid applicants and current members "from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, age, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or military status."
"The Chamber Board believes that discrimination in any form is wrong and should not be tolerated," the board said in the letter, which it shared on its Facebook page. "As we revise this policy, we plan to seek input from our membership as well. We hope to have these new policies in place very soon."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Christian Videographer Faces Legal Action After Refusing to Work Lesbian Wedding, Says It's Against Her Biblical Beliefs" by Samuel Smith, Christian Post Reporter 3/18/15
Although the [lesbian] couple filed the complaint, Ohio is one of 13 states that does not allow same-sex marriages, and Bexley is also a municipality that does not prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. Additionally, the Bexley Chamber of Commerce does not prohibit its members from discriminating based on sexual orientation.
The Bexley Chamber of Commerce issued a statement through Facebook on Monday condemning Schmackers' refusal of service. The post continued by stating that board members have decided that the chamber's policy must be changed so that this type of "discrimination" does not happen again.
"At our Feb. 11 board meeting, we discussed in detail how the Bexley Area Chamber of Commerce could ensure this does not happen again. The Chamber Board believes that discrimination in any form is wrong and should not be tolerated. At this meeting, the board agreed that our membership policy must be revised to reflect this. We began the process of re-writing [sic] our policies and guidelines."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Corporations Embrace Gay Agenda, With a Vengeance
And read Businesses, Pro Sports, and GOP Urge Supreme Court to Go 'Gay Marriage'
